Let me be the new Song

PASTURES NOU ... Song quit for Barca

“If I can prove I can play in that position as well then that will help me and my career at Arsenal.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was in Roy Hodgson’s England squad for the Euros, revealed he models his central midfield game on Three Lions skipper Stevie G.

The young Gunner said: “I’ve been watching him since I was a young lad.

“Back in his early days I remember he used to make bursting runs from deep all the way up front and get in the box and score goals. Frank Lampard used to as well.

“So that’s a side of my game I want to add to — scoring more goals. More in terms of getting myself into the box and having that drive and instinct. Gambling to get to the back post and gambling to get to the front post.

“That way you score more goals. But that comes with experience I think. Once you score one like that you keep doing it.

“I haven’t got that goal yet where I’ve burst into the box. Once I get that one I’m sure I’ll keep on doing it. I’ve just got to improve.” The recent departures of Song and skipper Robin van Persie have left a cloud over the Emirates.

That darkened after Wenger’s men drew 0-0 at home to Sunderland last Saturday.
But Oxlade-Chamberlain, who hopes to return from an ankle injury at Stoke tomorrow, said: “Everyone wrote us off last season after our start and we still finished third.

“We’re all confident players and it’s Arsenal Football Club. If we didn’t believe we were going to win the league then there’s something wrong.

“We keep our feet on the ground and work hard. The manager is as enthusiastic as ever and confident.

“He’s put his faith in us and it’s early doors in the season. We don’t get carried away at all, we just take it game by game.

“I think we can do good things this season and we’re all working hard to make that happen.”

And after another summer exodus at the Emirates, Gooners everywhere can be pleased there is one big name happy to stay at their club.

Oxlade-Chamberlain said: “It’s a really nice place to be. It’s really relaxed and the boys get looked after well.

“When it comes to football, the boss is really serious and we’re all really serious about that.

“But off the pitch we’re in a different environment and a lot of that is down to the people who have been here 15 or 20 years.

“It’s perfect for me. I’m loving every minute of it and I get the same feeling off all the rest of the lads.”

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